Still, I Will Live As The Son-In-Law Of A Conglomerate [EN]: Chapter 181

181. 51st. More Splendidly As It’s Late

Grandfather, holding the remote, turned off the TV that had been showing Kang Oh-joong’s heroic demise.

“A foolish man… It would have been better if he had come to his senses sooner…”

Grandfather’s face was filled with a sense of futility as he put down the remote. If he had come to his senses during the gold-collecting campaign and focused on internal stability, things wouldn’t have come to this…

“There was nothing we could do, Chairman. Still, it’s fortunate that the damage was less than expected.”

Ko Seung-ju and the other adults who responded couldn’t hide their dismay. After all, wasn’t Kang Oh-joong a living witness to the Korean economy?

‘I never knew he had this side to him…’

I, too, couldn’t hide my surprise at Kang Oh-joong’s unexpected end.

The Kang Oh-joong I knew was a shameless man who only cared about his own well-being until the very end. Seeing him sacrifice everything to save the Daeju Group touched my heart.

Grandfather looked at me and asked with a bitter smile.

“Do you regret it?”

“No, Grandfather. Chairman Kang’s recklessness had to be stopped. Despite the changing times, he clung to old ways, disqualifying him as the head of a group responsible for the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people.”

Regardless of personal feelings, Kang Oh-joong had to be stopped. My cold assessment startled Grandfather and the other adults for a moment, but I continued without paying attention.

“The Daeju Group lost its owner in the midst of the Big Deal [a period of industrial restructuring in South Korea]. The Big Deal that will unfold will become even more fierce because of the Daeju Group’s affiliates.”

In the Big Deal process, each group will take and be taken from each other. Those who are taken from will try to make up for their losses by devouring the massive corpse of the Daeju Group.

Grandfather nodded with a stern expression after hearing my words.

“That’s right. Now that Chairman Kang has stepped down from the Daeju Group, the creditors will try to find owners for the Daeju Group’s affiliates as soon as possible. Still… Executive Director Park.”

After a moment of hesitation, Grandfather called Park Tae-jin.

“Yes, Chairman.”

“You’ve been postponing the wedding because of group matters, haven’t you?”

“Ch, Chairman?”

Park Tae-jin stuttered, perhaps because personal matters came up during a discussion about the group. Grandfather looked at Park Tae-jin with a gentle smile.

“Group matters are important, but our Executive Director Park’s wedding has been delayed because of the Daeju Group. I’d like to make the wedding as splendid as it’s late… Director Lee.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Tell CEO Jang of Korea Hotel to arrange a meeting with Executive Director Park and his wife. The Yeongbingwan [a prestigious state guest house] at the main branch would be nice, hahaha.”

I believed that Grandfather would never neglect Park Tae-jin’s wedding. Wasn’t Park Tae-jin like his youngest son? I smiled as I watched Grandfather laugh heartily.

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Ah, no, Chairman! We can handle the preparations ourselves…!”

Park Tae-jin, startled, even raised his hand to wave, but Grandfather shook his head.

“No. As a shareholder of Haedong Corporation, I can’t let you have a wedding at a mediocre venue, can I?”

“Ch, Chairman…”

“Director Yoo, tell the bride’s parents to come without any burden. Director Lee here will cover everything from the rental fee to the meal costs, euhehe.”

I was going to take credit, but I was beaten to it… Grandfather, laughing heartily, was annoying. Damn it.

###

After leaving Samcheong-dong, Park Tae-jin and I immediately joined Yoo Hyun-jung and headed to Korea Hotel.

“Welcome, Senior. Congratulations on your wedding, hehe.”

Jang Ha-yeon, smiling slightly at Park Tae-jin’s embarrassed smile, also offered her congratulations to Yoo Hyun-jung.

“Congratulations, Unni [term for older sister used by females in Korean].”

Yoo Hyun-jung’s eyes widened at the title that came out of Jang Ha-yeon’s mouth.

“…Pardon? U, Unni, Representative?”

“You’re marrying Senior, so you’re Unni, aren’t you? Or not?”

“St, still, Representative is…”

Yoo Hyun-jung hesitated. Jang Ha-yeon was the granddaughter-in-law of the Haedong Group and the CEO of an affiliate, while she was just Park Tae-jin’s wife and a mere department head at Hi-Mart, wasn’t she?

Jang Ha-yeon gave a gentle smile to Yoo Hyun-jung, who couldn’t open her lips.

“Even if it’s an official setting, we’re meeting as people to people now. Please treat me comfortably in private, Unni.”

“…I understand, Representative.”

Yoo Hyun-jung was still awkward, but I liked this side of Jang Ha-yeon. A simplicity that couldn’t be found in Jang Su-yeon… I loved that heart that was a chaebol [Korean conglomerate] but didn’t seem like one.

Jang Ha-yeon, exchanging glances with me, looked over the documents.

“You can use the Yeongbingwan anytime this month. If you choose a convenient day, we’ll set it up for you anytime. The cost will be charged to my husband, though. Is that okay, honey?”

Jang Ha-yeon winked at me. This is why I live, so I have to accept it.

“Grandfather told me to do that too. I was going to do that, but I was beaten to it, hehe.”

“Okay. Then we’ll have to mobilize all the chefs from our main branch restaurant to prepare the meal that day.”

The chefs at the Korea Hotel’s main branch restaurant are all top-notch chefs in this country. Park Tae-jin and Yoo Hyun-jung were surprised because they couldn’t possibly not know that fact.

“R, Representative?”

“It’s Senior’s wedding, so I want to decorate it in the best way possible. Right, honey?”

“Of course. Decorate our Hyung’s [term for older brother or male friend in Korean] wedding splendidly, hehe.”

Jang Ha-yeon and I smiled brightly at each other, and Park Tae-jin and Yoo Hyun-jung could only stare at us blankly, forgetting what to say.

***

A few days later.

Yeongbingwan at Korea Hotel, which greeted Saturday morning, was crowded with guests.

“I, I’m meeting you for the first time, Chairman. We are Hyun-jung’s parents.”

“Today, I’m meeting you two as Tae-jin’s father. Tae-jin will never make Hyun-jung cry, so please take good care of him, hehe.”

Lee Dae-soo, wearing a suit and a flower in his chest pocket, exchanged greetings with Yoo Hyun-jung’s parents. It was something that other group chairmen couldn’t even imagine, but Lee Dae-soo treated the two people with respect, like a father marrying off his son, rather than flaunting his power.

However, it wasn’t just Lee Dae-soo who greeted them.

Bae Jae-hoon, Tae Jae-ho, and Jo Young-chan also came to Yoo Hyun-jung’s parents and asked them to take good care of Park Tae-jin, and Yoo Hyun-jung’s parents were overwhelmed as Ko Seung-ju and Lee Myung-jin even came to greet them.

###

The same was true for Yoo Hyun-jung, who was greeting her co-workers in the bride’s waiting room.

“Department Head Yoo, are you okay?”

“…I don’t know, Executive Director.”

Even with Na Chang-seok’s cautious question, Yoo Hyun-jung felt like her head was spinning. Wasn’t everyone among the Haedong Group employees who could enter the Samcheong-dong study coming as Park Tae-jin’s guests?

“I don’t think it’s too late yet, should I buy you a calming pill?”

“I shared half with Tae-jin this morning. But I still can’t calm down. I should have bought two and eaten one each…”

She was always strong at work, but Yoo Hyun-jung had never felt so burdened at a wedding like today.

###

As the needle goes, so goes the thread, and Park Tae-jin, who would become Yoo Hyun-jung’s partner, was not much different.

“Hey, did you see outside?”

“What?”

Min Joo-hyung wore a mischievous smile, as if he found Park Tae-jin’s attempt to appear calm amusing.

“Not only the Chairman, but all the Vice Chairmen came. Everyone from the Overall Strategy Headquarters to the affiliate representatives flocked here, hehe.”

“Executive Director Min is right, Executive Director Park. You don’t have to worry about congratulatory money, do you? Hehe.”

Park Tae-jin chuckled at the sight of Joo Seung-bin, who was next to him, teasing him.

“They say you get influenced by who you hang out with, and it looks like Director Joo has been influenced by Executive Director Min? Hehe.”

Seeing Park Tae-jin smile, Min Joo-hyung put his hand on Park Tae-jin’s shoulder.

“I’m relieved to see my colleague’s face brighten up. Take it easy, take it easy. This is what I’m telling you as a wedding senior, hehe.”

“That’s right, Executive Director. Think comfortably, especially at times like this. Isn’t this a luxury that others can’t even enjoy? Haha.”

Park Tae-jin smiled at the encouragement of Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin.

“Thank you, Joo-hyung. Thank you too, Director Joo, hehe.”

###

Jang Ha-yeon and I, who were at the wedding hall, went to Park Tae-jin’s waiting room with Seon Hae-cheol and Claire. Upon arriving at the entrance of the waiting room, we met Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin coming out.

“Charlie? Jason?”

“Boss?”

Claire, seeing Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin, smiled happily and reached out her hand.

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Yes, Boss. But…?”

Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin blinked at Claire’s slender face and limbs, compared to her particularly prominent belly. Seeing the two of them, Seon Hae-cheol approached Claire’s side.

“We’re married. Haha.”

“Yes?”

“The two of us have been dating since we worked together at Triumph. Right, Claire?”

“…I don’t know.”

Seon Hae-cheol put his hand on Claire’s shoulder, and Claire leaned her head on Seon Hae-cheol’s shoulder, wearing the happiest smile in the world.

Seeing Min Joo-hyung and Joo Seung-bin, who were embarrassed by the sight of the two, I quickly came forward.

“Thank you for coming.”

“No, Director Lee. It’s natural to come to the wedding of a colleague we suffered with, haha.”

“That’s right, Director Lee. Executive Director Park and Director Lee also suffered with us in Hong Kong, didn’t you? Haha.”

I nodded, seeing the two people laughing cheerfully.

“That’s right. Today, Executive Director Park is the main character, so let’s see each other again next time.”

After sending the two away, we approached Park Tae-jin, who was alone in the waiting room, and offered our congratulations.

“How do you feel now?”

“I’m wondering if someone like me can get married and build a good family, and I’m worried… I feel like I’m floating, haha.”

Seon Hae-cheol, who asked the question, said with a smile.

“That’s all it is. I felt like that when I got married too, hehe. How was our nephew?”

“Is there any need to say it? It’s probably because he’s marrying someone he likes, haha.”

Perhaps the reason we share the feeling of floating is because we are becoming lifelong partners with someone we like. I, for one, didn’t feel the fluffy feeling I didn’t feel at the wedding with Jang Su-yeon until I married Jang Ha-yeon, did I?

I, who was laughing heartily, said to Park Tae-jin.

“If you hold on to that feeling now, I think you’ll be happy for the rest of your life. Congratulations, Hyung.”

The congratulations I’m giving now are not fake, but sincere. Isn’t it a congratulation that I’m verifying and giving as a man who has been married twice?

Park Tae-jin and Yoo Hyun-jung will surely live happily. Like us.

***

After the wedding, Park Tae-jin and Yoo Hyun-jung immediately took a plane to Jeju Island. The room where the two would stay was the most luxurious suite at the Jeju Korea Hotel.

“Wow…”

Yoo Hyun-jung, who opened the door and entered the room, only exclaimed at the spacious and luxurious interior. Park Tae-jin smiled at Yoo Hyun-jung.

“How is it?”

“How is it? It’s too good.”

Yoo Hyun-jung couldn’t believe that what she was enjoying now was real. She felt like she had become the heroine of a TV drama, and she got goosebumps without realizing it.

“I can’t believe it either. I thought I’d be taking care of a childish person all my life and living alone… Hehe.”

Yoo Hyun-jung, looking at Park Tae-jin who was smiling, asked carefully.

“If it’s a childish person… Director Lee?”

“That’s right. He was a childish person who wandered around until he opened his eyes in the hospital, but he became an adult and became Director Lee from the moment he opened his eyes. If Director Lee hadn’t changed, we wouldn’t have even dreamed of coming this far.”

Yoo Hyun-jung also nodded at Park Tae-jin’s answer.

The fact that the always crouched Haedong Group entered the center of the Korean business world.

The fact that she moved to Hi-Mart in the process and became a department head before she was even 40, and made Park Tae-jin her man.

Wasn’t it all because Lee Sung-min came to his senses and was running around?

“Director Lee was the Ojakgyo [a mythical bridge that connects lovers] who connected the two of us, hehe.”

“I don’t know what Hyun-jung you think, but I will have to continue to serve Director Lee and live a busy life in the future. Will you understand?”

“Of course. How can I stop you from helping Director Lee, who made me meet Oppa [term for older brother or boyfriend used by females in Korean]?”

Park Tae-jin felt at ease with Yoo Hyun-jung’s smile that understood him.

With that comfortable heart, Park Tae-jin brought his face closer to Yoo Hyun-jung.

Seeing that, Yoo Hyun-jung closed her eyes, and Park Tae-jin also closed his eyes and gently placed his lips on Yoo Hyun-jung’s.

***

A week later.

Seon Hae-cheol joked as he watched Park Tae-jin, who had returned to work after his honeymoon.

“Our groom’s face looks too good? Did you just hold hands and sleep for a week? Hehe.”

“Shall I tell Hyung-soo [term for older brother’s wife in Korean] what you just said over the phone? Hehe.”

Seon Hae-cheol hurriedly shouted as Park Tae-jin took out his cell phone and gestured to press the phone number.

“That’s a foul! Can’t I even joke?”

It seemed like our uncle was living under Claire’s thumb. Well, since he married a woman who is almost a decade older than him, it wouldn’t be strange to be criticized even if he carried her around on his back.

Park Tae-jin chuckled at Seon Hae-cheol, who even raised his hand and shook it.

“I’m joking too, hehe. And I’m still energetic. Hyung [term for older brother or male friend in Korean].”

With that panther-like Park Tae-jin, there was no need to worry about nighttime matters. Seon Hae-cheol pouted his lips at the sight of Park Tae-jin, who rolled up his sleeves and put strength into his arm.

“Keueung… Your poop is thick, you son of a bitch.”

“Uncle, come on. Everyone here will be married men and fathers in the future, so you should use kind words, hehe.”

I didn’t know why the fact that all the men in this room had met their partners and built nests made me feel so comfortable.

With that feeling, I will prepare a feast with the two of them.

A feast called the Big Deal that has become even richer thanks to Chairman Kang Oh-joong.